"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Imagine going to school one day and the teacher of your most stressful class says, 'Today we're not going to do anything. I'm giving you the whole class-time to rest, think, read, interact with others in a relaxing, enjoyable way. We're not going to learn anything new, I'm not giving you a new assignment. That test scheduled for tomorrow? Forget about it. Just come back tomorrow and we'll start fresh with new things.'
Wouldn't that be nice?
Imagine facing a busy afternoon and evening with soccer practice, dinner on the road to piano lessons, an evening choir concert, and a mound of homework when you finally get home, but then everything gets canceled because of a snowstorm, and you end up with a fun and stress-free time of playing in the snow and reading a book you enjoy while sipping hot cocoa because you already know school will be canceled tomorrow.
Wouldn't that be nice?
Life can be very busy. Between school, activities, chores, time with family and friends, homework and tests to study for, let alone any unexpected things that can really throw your day into chaos, each day is a huge challenge. Things you enjoy get overshadowed by the stress of others. Important things get put off. Time with friends gets spoiled by conflict. Any time you do have alone just seems lonely. Parents and teachers get on your case. Others treat you poorly. Life is not exactly something you're enjoying—just enduring.
It might be difficult to believe God has a plan in the midst of chaos, disappointment, and weariness, but He does. His plan either involves giving you peace and joy in the middle of your difficult days, or it might involve Him rescuing you from things that aren't meant to be there.
Let's face it, teachers, parents, friends, enemies, and our busy world are not likely to change. There are few "free days" with no demands, conflict, or difficulty. The surprise snowstorm can only relieve your schedule for a day or two. You need more than a temporary escape. You need a solution, and you need it today.
Being "still" doesn't mean you do nothing; it means you seek God's refuge and strength. You believe you are not alone. He is with you. So admit your weakness, your fear, your weariness, and seek His help. Trust Him with your daily struggles. Trust Him in troublesome moments. Trust Him when you're scared. Trust Him when difficult things rock your world.
Psalm 46 talks about God helping Israel during a time of war. And life can be a battle. But God is with you in the battle, He is with you in the storm. And He is mighty. Verse 8 says, Come and see what the LORD has done; And He invites you to come and see what He will do for you.
Be still, not stressed. Trust. Be still and wait for His rescue, His help, His peace. Be still and believe you are loved, you matter to Him, you are His.
Imagine going to school one day and the teacher of your most stressful class says, 'Today we're not going to do anything. I'm giving you the whole class-time to rest, think, read, interact with others in a relaxing, enjoyable way. We're not going to learn anything new, I'm not giving you a new assignment. That test scheduled for tomorrow? Forget about it. Just come back tomorrow and we'll start fresh with new things.'
Wouldn't that be nice?
Imagine facing a busy afternoon and evening with soccer practice, dinner on the road to piano lessons, an evening choir concert, and a mound of homework when you finally get home, but then everything gets canceled because of a snowstorm, and you end up with a fun and stress-free time of playing in the snow and reading a book you enjoy while sipping hot cocoa because you already know school will be canceled tomorrow.
Wouldn't that be nice?
Life can be very busy. Between school, activities, chores, time with family and friends, homework and tests to study for, let alone any unexpected things that can really throw your day into chaos, each day is a huge challenge. Things you enjoy get overshadowed by the stress of others. Important things get put off. Time with friends gets spoiled by conflict. Any time you do have alone just seems lonely. Parents and teachers get on your case. Others treat you poorly. Life is not exactly something you're enjoying—just enduring.
It might be difficult to believe God has a plan in the midst of chaos, disappointment, and weariness, but He does. His plan either involves giving you peace and joy in the middle of your difficult days, or it might involve Him rescuing you from things that aren't meant to be there.
Let's face it, teachers, parents, friends, enemies, and our busy world are not likely to change. There are few "free days" with no demands, conflict, or difficulty. The surprise snowstorm can only relieve your schedule for a day or two. You need more than a temporary escape. You need a solution, and you need it today.
"Be still, and know that I am God."
It might seem like an impossible command,
but let's consider the rest of Psalm 46:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (v. 1-3)
Being "still" doesn't mean you do nothing; it means you seek God's refuge and strength. You believe you are not alone. He is with you. So admit your weakness, your fear, your weariness, and seek His help. Trust Him with your daily struggles. Trust Him in troublesome moments. Trust Him when you're scared. Trust Him when difficult things rock your world.
Psalm 46 talks about God helping Israel during a time of war. And life can be a battle. But God is with you in the battle, He is with you in the storm. And He is mighty. Verse 8 says, Come and see what the LORD has done; And He invites you to come and see what He will do for you.
"Be still, and know that I am God."
Be still, not stressed. Trust. Be still and wait for His rescue, His help, His peace. Be still and believe you are loved, you matter to Him, you are His.
